Flair Lesson #14: Same Hand Flat Behind Back
This is a great basic working flair move that I really dig because when you land it, it just feels good. If you haven’t already gotten comfortable with the Flat Behind the Back, go back and make sure you can do that move. This one is only slightly more difficult but the catch is the same – so if you’ve got that catch down already, then you’re halfway there. Key points to land the Same Hand Flat Behind the Back:
1) Grab the bottle by the body (not the neck or the shoulders.)
2) Hold the bottle at a 45 degree angle up and away from you (away to the side, not pointing forward.) The biggest tip to getting this move down is to keep the bottle at this angle the whole time it’s in the air. You want a perfectly static bottle toss – no change in the x, y, or z axis. This way the bottle will be at the same position or angle for the catch.
3) The throw is really a matter of hinging your elbow. Your upper arm moves very little in this; instead, it’s mostly your forearm moving from down by your waist to up towards your chest with a slight flick of the wrist upon release.
4) The bottle should pass up and over the opposite shoulder. If you are throwing with your left, it will pass over your right shoulder. Also, I find myself slightly leaning into the throw, dipping my shoulder down slightly. This may not be necessary, but I’ve gotten used to it, and I find that it also helps rotate my shoulders and give my catching hand more flexibility to catch the bottle.
5) After you release the bottle, quickly bring your hand behind your back. Your hand should be open, palm up, fingers extended, with your thumb pointing to your lower back.
6) Keep your eyes on the bottle!
7) Be ambidextrous. This is one of a handful of moves that for some reason I find is easier to do with my left hand, even though I am right-handed. Also, this move lends itself perfectly to practicing a simple drill, switching the bottle back and forth between hands for practice.
Like the Flat Behind the Back, this is a fun move to do with nearly any object you find behind your bar. It’s easiest and most practical with a bottle, but for variety try practicing this with a pint glass, a beer bottle, a tin, an ice cube, or anything else you feel like. Not to get too personal, but my shampoo bottle and my car keys get a Same Hand Flat Behind the Back pretty much every day – it’s addictive.
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